The dress was a Venice Dimilo inspired Versace gown that J.Lo wore to an American awards ceremony in 2007, until that day the heavy derriere saw no love in the eyes of high fashion designers.

Some will argue that it was rather Marilyn Monroe’s iconic 1950’s white halter dress in the film “Some Like It Hot” that gave rise to appreciation of curvier ladies. Whatever the truth, being womanly means money to today’s designer and the following creations prove it.

Big and Tall men however don’t seem to have a clear fashion icon, but the late R&B soul singer Luther Vandross and for lack of a better example local crooner Jewel Archer comes to mind. Thankfully, our men can look outside the comforts of Joromi to suite their large frame.

The problem areas for men tend to be in the waist area, followed by the height. Must have for men are suspenders, pin-striped suits with a V-breast cut, a pant leg that 3/4 past your actual waist to shoe length, and pockets that accommodate the size of your hands.

Footwear is very important, for the casual wear days consider the Birkenstock variety so that it gives your feet a slender illusion. Please do not grace your feet with high-tops for your sports wear shoes. Invest in a pair of patterned leather footwear that are a size bigger than your actual shoe size and if the size comes a half an inch less, a shoe stretcher should do the trick.

Stay away from shirts that have connotations to your body size, nothing is more unattractive than those Fubu, Hillfiger large print letters that make you a walking sign board.

Embrace suits that have two button which tends to elongate the breadth of the body. If you insist on the 1940 style suit that reaches the thigh, then well at least leave the last two buttons free for movement.

Women have several challenges but by far the areas of concern are the thighs and chest area. A woman’s best friend in the brassiere department has to be the invention of the underwire, yes, it is time to stay away from the sports bodis and utilize the our power package by wearing bras that will scoop them up.

A must have undoubtedly has to be the corset, though not for all, it will provide the hourglass shape. I will always recommend form fitting clothes for women, it is a luxury that big & tall men cannot afford but it does wonders for the female figure.

Embrace colors in your dresses-black is no longer acceptable as a way to enhance your assets- and jeans that are worn should have large-hemmed design pockets in the buttocks area.

If you wear a shirt that has buttons in the front ensure they are large in size with a relaxed fit. Business wear means heals and a pant suit those measures to your heels (preferably the d’Orsay pump).

The casual wear shoe for the woman means the wedge, it has cute way of presenting the stem of the feet plus comfortable for hours on end. In the sportswear department please stay clear of those nurse-prototype tennis shoes, ideally make sure the fit is comfortable and does not squeeze the feet.

In this article you have gained a positive breadth for the tic tall frame of men and women. By all means have fun in the clothes you wear. The positive thing about being African is that we can easily have our clothes made by local tailors and seamstresses.

The options in traditional wear is infinite, perhaps testing the waters of such clothes in various settings is worth a try. I long to see the day when men can wear that iconic Kwame Nkrumah look of the white shirt with wrapped cloth to the office but alas it may not work logistically. What I do know is you must wear the clothes with enjoyment; do not allow the clothes to frustrate you